Case Number 04179

The Charge

..."...this is just really dumb." -- Ryunosuke Natsume

Opening Statement

I can't pretend to understand what passes for humor in this DVD. When I first
read the title, I assumed that I would be transported into a wonderful land of
cat girls who did something called "nuku nuku." I was sadly
mistaken.

Facts of the Case

When Kyusaka Natusume took the brain of a cat and placed it into an Androbot
shell, he ended up with the mentally challenged, overly strong teenager Nuku
Nuku. He appointed his son, Ryunosuke, as her guide, tutor, and constant
reminder that Nuku Nuku must never reveal her identity as a robot. While she
tries to adapt to living amongst humans and attending school, she must also do
battle with the robots gone amok creations of Mishima Industry (AKA the subtly
named Black Industry).

The Evidence

The humor in this collection of episodes is completely lost on me. Nuku Nuku
cleans herself by licking herself, takes "cat naps," and brings cat
food to school for lunch. Is a crazy robot laundry machine funny? For about two
seconds, yes, but then it becomes inane and painful. If I didn't have to endure
watching the whole DVD, I wouldn't have. Yet something kept my attention. It
wasn't until hours later that I realized what it was. I realized I was watching
Small Wonder over and over again. The TV show from the '80s was back in
full formula. Inventor dad? Check. Brother who acts as guide and character
identifies most strongly with? Check. Robotic daughter that does not know her
own strength yet who is cute enough to evade any real punishment and will stand
up for family in times of crisis? Check. Nuku Nuku has taken a step
further by developing the mother character into an executive working for the
same company her husband hates and wants destroyed. This dramatic turn adds the
much-needed layer of complexity that Small Wonder lacked. Both shows
explored what it meant to be human and asked the question "how does a robot
girl become a real girl?" Unfortunately, both shows are unfunny and a
complete waste of time. I'm still trying to figure out what purpose this
"All Purpose" cat girl fulfills. As I understand it, she exists to
stop Black Industry from its world domination goals. Maybe something's lost in
the translation or maybe I'm reading too much into it, but if someone's going to
build a robot and make it a teenage girl at that, I have wonder what purpose she
truly serves. "Nuku Nuku" indeed.

It's sad when a character sums up my feelings in the first ten minutes.
Little Ryunosuke tells me not to be confused, but instead instructs me to
recognize what's happening is stupid.

The picture was grainy at times and didn't feel like a very good transfer. I
saw this DVD twice (once in English and once in Japanese) and I still found the
overacting to get on my nerves. The English dub was very grating. I understand
the need for high-pitched delivery, but this was truly awful.

The DVD contains four amusingly titled episodes. I liked one of them. Some
spoilers, so beware.

* "Enter Nuku Nuku! Keep The Peace On Earth!" Nuku Nuku
leaps to the rescue and saves her classmate from a killer washing machine. We
are introduced to Nuku Nuku's world on her first day of school. This episode
acts as a set up for the zaniness to follow.

* "Nuku Nuku Vs. Ancient Ruin. Legendary God Appears!"
Classmate Rei thinks she has premonitions of an ancient evil that Nuku Nuku
eventually unleashes. The rub is that it's not an ancient evil at all, just a
discarded Black Industry robot. We also learn a valuable lesson about science
and faith.

* "Nuku Nuku's Cooking School! Non-chan's Love Attack Plan!"
Ryunosuke's neighbor is in love with him and charms her way into the family's
kitchen. She tries to teach Nuku Nuku how to cook while attempting to cement
herself into the family. I liked this episode because it was a charming
departure from what came before and what would come shortly after.

* "Nuku Nuku Sings With All Her Heart! Family Vs. Family Singing
Contest!" The title sums up exactly what happens. Nuku Nuku, once
again, evades a robot, only this time, there is singing!

The Rebuttal Witnesses

Some people really like Jerry Lewis's comedy. Some people may think that a
robot girl with a cat's brain is the bee's knees. What's nice about these
episodes is that they're elementary and easy to follow. Every episode begins
with a quick synopsis of what Nuku Nuku is. The DVD also allows the viewing of
"clean" versions of the opening and closing credits, unhampered by any
text or subtitles.

Closing Statement

Avoid, avoid, avoid. I did some research and found out that there are
previous versions of the Nuku Nuku saga and what I had just watched was a
re-introduction of the concept. I am frightened that someone said "Hey,
let's try that Nuku Nuku thing again." Does the world really need more Nuku
Nuku? And really, if you're going to put a cat's brain into a robot, shouldn't
it just be a cat robot? Or another mechanical feline of some kind?